Elder Gary E. Stevenson calls on BYU students to ‘wave flags demonstrating Christlike behavior’

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A senior leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told Brigham Young University students Tuesday that church leaders view them as literal beacons to the world and requested that they take up and carry four symbolic flags as they prepare for life after graduation.

As members of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, we cultivate and showcase God's qualities to give him honor, respect, and glory. We can live out different examples of Christ-like behavior by our actions.

In Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump had meetings and events with Elder Gerrit W. Gong, under the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' First Presidency.

Walking around the floor of the Marriott Center on a Tuesday morning, he asked students to wave four flags as he explained how each could improve their spiritual development.

He urged all 10,202 in attendance at the devotional to take action.

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve delivered a devotional address Tuesday at Ensign College in Salt Lake City. (See below.)

1. The banner of a peacemaker

“To us, you feel like a symbol of the nations following Jesus Christ. You represent him and the Church of Jesus Christ. So, go out there, proudly carrying the message of Jesus Christ, which includes being a peacemaker, understanding, restoration, and involvement.”

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The Savior's message is unmistakable: His faithful followers create, uplift, motivate, convince, and inspire - regardless of the challenges they face," President Nelson said. "Real disciples of Jesus Christ are those who bring peace.

which measures on a scale from one to eight whether language or behavior treats others with dignity or contempt.

Elder Stevenson said the Economic Policy Index has encouraged some politicians to tone down their rhetoric.

He carried the flag of a peacemaker. Let everyone be a peacemaker.

2. The marker of understanding

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He emphasized that as students continue their education, they should also work on honing "characteristics of communication."

He recommended actively listening and reflecting on what was being said.

He said, 'Please wait a moment before responding and paraphrase what I just said to make sure you understand everything.'

3. The Flag of the Restoration

President Stevenson said students should practice stressing that the Church of Jesus Christ is the original church, restored to the world today.

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When it comes to missionary work, God doesn't need you to be in charge; he does ask that you be a sharer," Elder Stevenson said. "By sharing our positive experiences in the gospel with others, we signal the Restoration.

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Ultimately, he urged students to actively participate in positive pursuits.

As you start the next phase of your life, make an impact by getting involved in local communities, both big and small. Doing this is achievable by consistently putting the values of kindness and compassion into action, and it can also be expressed in more structured volunteer work and community service.

He shared the story of Tanner Ward, a BYU graduate, who during his time at medical school in Louisiana, noticed a need to support cancer patients. He started by taking weekly walks with patients, their families, and medical students. These walks eventually grew to include even more family members. Ward's career has taken him to other places, yet his weekly walks continue in Louisiana, now including an annual walking event.

"He urged us to carry these signs with passion, with pride, and as truly the children of our kind and loving Heavenly Father," Elder Stevenson said.

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A member of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke to 674 students and staff at an Ensign College devotional on Tuesday morning in the Conference Center Theater in downtown Salt Lake City.

Elder Ulisses Soares asked EC students "to think about some basic principles in the process of learning how to get and recognize promptings and guidance from the Holy Ghost."

He compared the need for smartphones to connect to a network with the need for students to connect with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to receive heavenly guidance.

He also emphasized that learning to receive and recognize promptings and guidance from the Holy Spirit is one of the primary objectives of mortals.

Elder Soares shared five guidelines:

• Know and understand that God loves each individual and is always willing to communicate with us.
• Second, prepare yourself and make a sincere effort to be worthy to receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
• Third, learn and understand how the Spirit communicates, just like Elder Soares, a Brazilian, who said he is still learning the English language.
• Finally, realize and accept that divine guidance arrives in the Lord's own time and manner.
• Ultimately, wait patiently for the Lord.

He talked about the final points by sharing a personal story from his accounting career. He said that during that time, he had to make a difficult decision that people close to him, including coworkers and family members, thought would move him in the wrong direction.

We were newly married and still learning the ropes," he said. "Since we were trying to make the most of our new life together in a worthwhile way, we felt that God would provide some direction for us on a decision that would definitely impact our future.

They thoroughly examined the situation and consulted with each other before praying and visiting the temple to seek guidance from the Lord. As a result, they came to feel certain that they should proceed with the change, despite their concerns about potential negative outcomes.

"As time went on, that decision ended up being exactly what we needed, and it led to even more opportunities that helped us grow both personally and professionally, ultimately bringing me to where I am with you today," Elder Soares said. “This experience taught my wife and me to be mindful not to let anything get in the way of hearing the Lord's voice or distract us from what He wants us to know and when.”

He said God's followers wait with faith for the right time, trusting that one day they will come to fully understand.

Waiting on the Lord means to have hope, anticipation, and trust. Having hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping God's commandments, and enduring until the very end.